Friday, December 30, 2016

Welcome! It's time for another Color My World Round-Up post. Each month the knowledgeable bloggers from Project Beautiful get creative by writing articles with focus on a particular color. Posts cover a multitude of topics including gardening, home remedies, decor and culinary delights. This month the color is "Red" and there is a little something for everyone. Here's what's happening for the month of December! Simply click on the links to read each article, and enjoy!

First is Lynee Cherot at Sensible Gardening with Red Hot Mamas in the Garden. "The use of colour is a very powerful tool in everything, including gardening. Differentcolours emote different reactions and feelings from the observer. Some people are attracted to the softer tones of pastels while others enjoy the bright and in your face colours.Red is a very strong colour and makes a bold statement in flower beds. Mother nature has blessed us with many different red flowers to choose from, and it is not a coincidence that many insects andbirdsare also attracted to the red spectrum. Here is a showcase of some of the red flowers I grow, all of which are easy to find and easy to grow.Red Poppies (doubles) give a red kickstart to the garden in early spring. These look best in a mass planting and will self seed themselves for the following year"...read more...

Next is Terri Steffes from Our Good Life with her recipe for delicious homemade Sugarfree Cranberry Juice. "My daughter and I are a big fan of the Christmas cocktail called Poinsettia. It is a simple cocktail of vodka, champagne, cranberry juice and some orange zest. We made it for the first time a few years ago and it has been a semi tradition ever since. I had a bag of leftover cranberries and rather than waste them, I made them into juice for our cocktails. It was super simple and I know our cocktails will taste wonderful due to the fresh taste of our juice!

1 12 oz bag fresh cranberries4 c water

Pour water into a large kettle. Add cranberries. Bring to a boil. When cranberries begin to pop, continue to cook on the stovetop for 10 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, then pour into a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Strain juice into a jar. Store in the refrigerator...For the cocktail"...read more ...

Susan Brandt from Blooming Secrets inspires us with her post The Year in Color-Rockin' the Red. "This month we’re giving you the red carpet treatment! We’re cutting through the red tape to share our perspective on the color red and its place in gardening lore...At a time of year which is often dominated by cooler colors like blue and white it isn’t as difficult as you might think to generate some warmth, and foundation plantings like shrubbery are the place to “see some red.” Follow our feathered friends and you’ll find holly berries and winterberry bushes which they use for protection as well as a food source. Red twig dogwood and nandina can provide a beautiful contrast in a snow covered landscape and if you are looking for flowers keep an eye out for witch hazel and camellias as the winter comes to a close." Read more...

Teri Schuler from the Freshman Cook delights us with her recipe for Candy Cane Cookies. "I love everything about Christmas Cookies! The smells, the colors, the yumminess! But my favorite thing about them is all the emotions and memories that immediately come back. Memories of my mom and I making them every year, since I was 4 years old. The neighbor across the street that taught me how to make pizzelles when I was ten. The many plates full of cookies we would wrap up and deliver to friends at school, church, and the neighborhood. The tins I would carefully fill with special cookies for a boyfriend or two. The mailing boxes carefully filled with sturdy cookies and bubble wrap after my husband and I moved 2000 miles away and couldn't come home for the holidays. The trays full of cookies I brought for classroom parties over the years, and the many boxes of cookies I sent to my son and his room mates when he was away at college. All these memories flood my mind and make me smile when I think of Christmas Cookies. So, yes, I do love everything about Christmas Cookies, and you probably do too! I hope you will create some memories with these Candy Cane Cookies"...recipe...

Lastly is This Month's Color in the Garden-The Power of Red from yours truly! "In landscape design and architecture, the color red tends to dominate when compared to other colors. Red tends to make a strong, dramatic statement and creates an illusion of boldness and depth. Red can be used to brighten a space in all seasons, including winter, with the incorporation of architectural elements or perhaps some berry producing shrubs in the garden against a white snowy background. Red foliage creates striking contrast in spring throughout fall, and red flowers, especially tubular-shaped ones, are an attraction to hummingbirds and other pollinators. The color red will have a lot more impact in your garden when used sparingly, and is nicely complemented by the the color green, which is considered neutral. Examples of red blooms in the landscape include Red Knock Out Rose, Tulips, Peony, Zinnia, Dahlia and Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower). Red berry producing plants include Nandina domestica, Winterberry, Holly, Skimmia and some varieties of viburnum. Plants exhibiting red or maroon foliage include...read more...

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed #PB Color Our World Round-Up for the month of December. Wishing you joy and happiness in the holiday season and always! Next up is "Garden Year in Review 2016", taking you through twelve months of blooms and foliage from my garden, with anticipation of a new year in the garden for 2017!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Well, the weather outside is frightful, but our gardens are still delightful. The winter crops we can sow...til it snows, til it snows, til it snows! December on Long Island has been bringing frigid temperatures in the 30's and 40's, which are more normal for this time of year, but the temperature for Bloom Day is in the 20's, with a chance of snow flurries showing in the forecast! I took this venture outside wearing three layers of clothing to keep warm and was delighted to see that there is still a lot going on in the December garden. Come along with me. Better bundle up!

Azalea Foliage December

As an avid gardener and designer, and now very determined photographer, I am constantly inspired by the beauty of the garden, no matter what the time of year. I have come to appreciate that there is always something amazing lurking around the corner and when there are no blooms, it is important to look deeper. As Albert Camus once said, "In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

Nandina domestica Berries & Foliage

Speaking of finding the inner beauty of the garden in winter, one of my favorite plants for this time of year is Nandina. Its evergreen foliage turns to hues of pink and yellow in the colder temperatures, while bright red berries form and grow more intense as the winter progresses.

Young's Weeping Birch Bark

Even the bark of some trees can provide winter interest. The beautiful white bark of birch trees becomes more noticeable as the foliage disappears.

Blue Globe Montgomery Spruce

Montgomery Globe Spruce continues to shine with its bright blue foliage, that is even more prominent in winter...

Coral Bells & Sedge

and evergreen perennials highlight the garden with their contrasting colors. This is a combination of Caramel Coral Bells with Japanese Golden Sedge.

Nandina domestica Berries

Here is Nandina once again but with a closer view...and Hellebores, as they set their buds for winter bloom.

Hellebore 'Shooting Star'

I added these Hellebore 'Shooting Star' to the garden two winters ago and get so much enjoyment from them. The foliage stays evergreen all year long and large creamy white blooms with pink highlights start in late December and continue through early spring.

Spirea Foliage December

Even though the cold has set in, the fall season has been warmer in the past couple of years, resulting in continuing foliage on these spirea through December. This is the foliage of Spirea 'Lemon Princess' still holding on with its deep orange hue.

Frosty Heuchera

Here we see frost on Coral Bells as the temperatures plummet...

Nellie Stevens Holly Berries

and Nellie Steven's Holly forms its berries for winter.

Sedum 'Brilliant' Seed Head

Sedum 'Brilliant' extends the season with its interesting seed heads, which are also looking a little frosty right now. I try to leave these in the garden for as long as possible, for they add interest, plus the birds enjoy the seeds.

'Yaku Jima' Grass December

Here is Dwarf Maiden Grass. Its plumes glow in the sunlight in the December garden.

Skyland's Spruce and Coral Bark Maple December

Over the years the number of evergreens in my garden has grown, as well as plants that provide winter interest. This Golden 'Skyland's Oriental Spruce was planted in 2008 as a memorial tree for my mom and has grown into a magnificent specimen. The Coral Bark Maple behind it is starting to show its reddening winter bark.

Rainbow Leucothoe December

Leucothoe also adds nice interest to the winter garden with its multi-colored foliage...

Japanese Golden Sedge December

while golden sedge continues to add color and whimsy to the garden with its spiky evergreen foliage.

Weeping White Pine

Here is Weeping White Pine with its cascading branches...

Weeping White Pine Cone

and large pine cones that form at this time of year.

Weeping Norway Spruce

I rescued this Weeping Norway Spruce from a client years ago whom no longer wanted it. It was thin and pretty much left for dead, but I took it on and gave it lots of tender loving care. This is the tree today after years of believing in it. It is thriving and has become one of my favorites in the back garden!

Weeping Pussy Willow Catkin December

It's mid December and this is a rare sight for right now. The Weeping Pussy Willow usually sets its buds at this time of year, but it is not usual for the catkins to be popping.

Knock Out Rose December!

While catkins are fooled by a milder fall until now, reminders of summer still linger as Knock Out Roses continue to bloom...

Rhododendron Buds December

and signs of future spring are present as Rhododendrons set their buds.

Winter Visitors

There have been many more bird visitors since the cold set in, as they enjoy their favorite seed...

Planning your garden for next spring, looking for some winter reading or perhaps a gift for the gardener in you life?Check out my book,A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer (Gardening in Zones 3-9).It covers a wide range of information on garden design, tips, maintenance and more! If you have read my book and found it to be helpful, please consider leaving a short review on Amazon.Reviews are vital in getting a book noticed and your help would be very much appreciated! Click on the photo or links for details!

Monday, December 5, 2016

The Power of Red in the Garden Clockwise Left to Right: Dahlia, Landscape Architectural Element, Dahlia, Winterberry and Knock Out Rose (center)

In landscape design and architecture, the color red tends to dominate when compared to other colors. Red tends to make a strong, dramatic statement and creates an illusion of boldness and depth. Red can be used to brighten a space in all seasons, including winter, with the incorporation of architectural elements or perhaps some berry producing shrubs in the garden against a white snowy background. Red foliage creates striking contrast in spring throughout fall, and red flowers, especially tubular-shaped ones, are an attraction to hummingbirds and other pollinators. The color red will have a lot more impact in your garden when used sparingly, and is nicely complemented by the the color green, which is considered neutral.

Nandina domestica berries

Examples of red blooms in the landscape include Red Knock Out Rose, Tulips, Peony, Zinnia, Dahlia and Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower). Red berry producing plants include Nandina domestica, Winterberry, Holly, Skimmia and some varieties of viburnum. Plants exhibiting red or maroon foliage include Heuchera ‘Palace Purple' (Coral Bells), Weigela Spilled Wine, and annuals such as Coleus, Impatiens and Begonia. The most prominent red in the garden that keeps coming to mind is that of the traditional red rose.

Red Knock Out Rose 'Radrazz'

Roses have been grown throughout civilization and are a timeless tradition, speaking the language of love, beauty, courage and respect. Historical evidence shows they were grown in China about 5,000 years ago, and have carried their special meaning ever since. A deep red rose can be used to convey heartfelt regret and sorrow. or twelve red roses conveys "Be mine" and "I love you. The red rose began its history during Greek and Roman times, where it was tied to Aphrodite, or Venus, the mythical goddess of love, who was often seen with roses around her head and covering her feet and neck. The red rose throughout time has symbolized an immortal love that could never fade, even through time or death. In early Christianity, the rose became associated with the virtue of Virgin Mary and in the Tarot it has been considered a symbol of balance, promise, new beginnings, and hope. In Shakespeare's writings, roses had become a poetic standard throughout his works. Throughout its history, the red rose continues to hold its status as the ultimate symbol of affection. Other flowers and their meanings include red Amaryllis, a statement of splendid beauty and pride, red aster which symbolizes patience, Anthurium symbolizing happiness and hospitality and poinsettia symbolizing good cheer and success.

Architectural Elements Old Westbury Mansion Long Island

In landscape architecture the color red is often used to draw attention or create a focal point, as in the use of red brick for walkways, labyrinths, benches or perhaps some red Adirondack chairs to highlight a sitting area. Estate gardens are known for their mass plantings of red tulips, dahlias and rose covered arbors. In color theory, red tends to make a space look smaller and can be used to make a large space seem more intimate. Red brick also brings to mind thoughts of mansions from colonial time, and can be implemented in modern day to create an old world feel.

Do you have any design or architectural
elements in your space that are red and if you do, when and where are they most
prominent? I invite you to share whatever shades of red you have going on in
your garden in the comments below, whether it be in the form of plants or
otherwise. I hope you enjoyed "This Month's Color in the Garden". I'm
already thinking about next month's theme, which is the color white! Next up is
Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day & Foliage Follow-Up on the 15th. and Color Our World
Round Up on the 30th.

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Welcome!

Welcome to A Guide to Northeastern Gardening. I am a landscape/garden designer, consultant and published book author of "A Guide to Northeastern Gardening-Journeys of a Garden Designer" and "Landscape Design Combinations". Involved in the horticultural field since 1996, I started this blog so that I could share my love of gardening with others. Join me for over 200 articles on general gardening, landscape design principles, gardening tips, planting, pruning, garden maintenance, feature plants and more. I look forward to and welcome your comments and will try my best to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you for visiting and do come back often! Happy Gardening! ~ Lee (A Guide to Northeastern Gardening)

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About Me

My husband and I live on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. I am a retired educator of 32 years, have been designing landscapes since 1996, and am the owner of my own landscape design business. My love of spending time in the garden has been and will always be a part of me. I started off by designing the gardens of friends and neighbors. With the encouragement of friends I decided to further my education in horticulture and design and became a landscape designer. I started up my business which grew by word of mouth and became what it is today. With shovel in hand since the age of five my love for creating now continues. When not designing I can be found in my own gardens planning the next addition...a never ending process. "A garden is an extension of its owner...a thing of beauty that constantly changes and can be enjoyed forever..."

Plant Hardiness Zone Maps

Hardiness Zones 3-9

The plants discussed in this blog are mainly hardy to zones 3-9. See individual plant details and the zone maps below for more information. An interactive USDA Map is located in the top navigation bar.